Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-28

seC+etaIy VI tue aSSOCiaJlOnJ ana OL1SrS
Governor Ross made an address, saving
the state welcomed her sons, and paid q
glowing tribute to the gRllantrg, bravery
and glorious achievements of Hoods
brigade.
Following is
GOVERNOR ROSS ADDRESS.
Ladies, Comrades and Friends: 1t
would nave suited me much better to
have played he part Of listener than a
speaker upon this occasion, out ! cannot
refuse to express the qualification that il
is my good fortune to oe present ST This
grand Gnnu lreUniOn OF these old veterans
AeEEood's brigade, and join this vast null
ItiLu1e, coming from every section Of cur
state. giving themselves up to the spirit
Of the occasion with such besrty
pleasure and energy which, to-
gether with the ample preparations
made of everything which large hearted
hospitality and unstiuted generosity
could suggest, TO accord to you Joyous
reception, al Conspire to fill our hearts
with the most plessursble emotions and
furnish apIedge of rich social enIoyments.
It vas not my fortune to be a member of
your grand CID brigade, but in the de-
lighLtul fgilO wship OF these OLD COnfed-
crates, bound together by the mystic ties
which trials engen6er, passing through
the sane ordeal, Inspired By the same
hopes and animated by the same senti-
ments, felt sure OF meeting
a. tSOk AID grsspipg o hand which
would respond in sympathy with my
own. r, iOiCe 10 meet the remnant of
this old brigade under such different cir
CumetanCes and surrounded by such
favorable auspices, illustrating so forci-
bly, the contrasts between the horrors
OF war snd the sweets Of pesCe. Cd
comrades in arms have come up from
their peaceful homes with buOy8nt feet
and thrilling pulse in anticipation of re-
viewing with each other the vivid and
heart-thrillIng incidents of the struggle.
These people have gathered here to
greet your presence and Join it
by extending TO you fiji
snd noble welcome and thus refute an
unjust imputation that republics are 81
ways ungrateful to their benefactors. 1t !
would be strange indeed If this gathering
OF the old Confederate clans did not send
99F thoughts trooping back along the
h&nished years, recalling long series of
brilliant exploits, wild adventures by |
day and by night, and generous I'M
ardor has never found any
peril too hazardous or any suffering too /
in the toll and watch of that |
wonderful ard memorable conflict in !
which giants were struggling for the mas |
.ery. But few Of you are here to-day, |
The great majority of your old comrades |
ill unknown graves, with naugnt to mark
heir silent resting places; but their
names are emb2lmed in as many loving
hearts as ever entwined around any Iiv- |
ing or fingered around the graves of de-
ceased patriots; and to-day, as our mem
1ry recalls face after face of this vast
spectral army who have preceded Us in
he line of march to the silent graves, we
she'd tear OF affectionate remembrance
Is We echo praises 70 their memory and
10 honor to their dust. Throughout
he broad area of the world
here was never field more rich in facts
which constitutes the fibre Of sn earnest,
Ictive patriotism than tnst found in the
struggle. The lofty edmirstiOn
n which the manhood, vaIor and endur-
nee, as well as the sublime resignation
With which you accepted disappointment
fter great hopes and greater efforts, is
leld all over the world, shows how much
AO "OA4u II uS duC brave UlG0
Who could shake off these troubles as
,reat as they were, as easily as the strong
nan shakes the snow flakes
rom his locks, and by heroic
forts in times of pace no less renowned
han those OF Wsr, make them 10 an I'm
diversified country, but as faxen withers
ound around slumbering giant. What
7onder the world has stood amazed at the 4
existent vitality of our people, persis.
eDcy only equsled by the grand result.
or under your admirable conduct every .
srrier to the flow of capital or check to !
ne development OF our unbounded re- 8
ources was removed, and we see here |
o-day free and independent mingling I
I men from every section of our |
road domain, all preiudices of
ne past forgotten, while I
ur state has been fortunate IN acquiring
Of those who fought against !
s, and who are an honor both 10 the
tstes VINO gave them birth and ours, /
Inch they have made their home. II T